Editorial counterpoint: School violence must be stopped before it starts

The recent Star Tribune editorial regarding the assault at Como Park High School ("If teachers aren't safe, students aren't safe," March 12) was right to note that violence in our schools must be dealt with. I appreciate and encourage the advocating of a strong message that prioritizes the safety of St. Paul students and teachers.

However, simply reacting to incidents when they occur isn't enough and isn't working.

We need to prevent violence before it starts. That's why the negotiating team from the St. Paul Federation of Teachers stayed at the table for more than 10 months, advocating for proper staffing that addresses the unique needs of each individual student, teacher and school community.

On the morning of Feb. 26, following a 24-hour negotiation session with the St. Paul Public Schools, we came to a tentative agreement on a two-year teachers' contract.

Just as there isn't a typical school day in the St. Paul schools, this isn't your typical teachers' contract. Much was at stake, and much remains at stake as we move forward.

Since last May, teachers, staff members, parents, students and community members stood strong. Our focus throughout was working together to continue building the schools where all St. Paul students can succeed, prioritizing site-specific solutions to address racial inequity and school-climate issues.

One such solution is an expanded implementation of restorative justice in our schools.

Engaging in restorative practices as a way to address school climate and racial inequity isn't easy. It requires a significant investment on the part of everyone. However, it is clear that such an investment is necessary and the need for change is urgent.

That is why I was pleased that the district, led by the Board of Education, has begun the process of setting new priorities, signaling a willingness to rethink the budget and the ways we can work together.

We've said all along that such a focus — the focus on creating school climates that are safe and equitable — will come with a cost. But the cost to students and our community when we don't prioritize restorative justice — and the staffing required to implement it — is far greater.

We can't afford to keep the school-to-prison pipeline in place. We can't afford to continue with weak responses. The St. Paul School District must reprioritize its budget, focusing on proven solutions. Every government entity using public dollars has an obligation to prioritize its budget in a way that maximizes its ability to deliver on its mission.

The tentative agreement reached between the district and the teachers union is a step in the right direction.

The agreement expands the School Climate Improvement Teams (SCITs), which already include parents and teachers, to include students where appropriate. It also calls for the designation of up to 12 schools as Restorative Practice schools over a three-year period, with up to six designated for the 2016-17 school year. Each of those schools will receive annual funding of $150,000 to implement site-driven solutions meant to address school climate and racial equity.

In recent weeks, the theme of "St. Paul Students Can't Wait" emerged as teachers, staff members, students and the broader community came together. That wasn't just a slogan, but a stark reality. The tentative agreement prioritizes the hiring of 30 additional full-time equivalents in the next academic year. These staff members will include school counselors, social workers, nurses, school psychologists, English-language-learner teachers and licensed media specialists. Teachers and current staff members can't address the urgent issues surrounding school climate without working in partnership with additional professionals and look forward to doing so.

No such agreement is perfect. It required compromise on all sides. And in order for us to continue delivering on our shared promise for St. Paul's students, we'll need to continue to stay at the table, setting shared priorities.